I’ve been waiting for this decision to be finalized. It looks like Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek will get a street. The plan allows for cars, but will still try to remain an open event area. The plan is to have the Plaza done by the Cherry Creek Arts Festival next 4th of July. Here’s the full article
Denver neighborhood groups that campaigned against a street going through the Cherry Creek North retail district’s Fillmore Plaza open space have agreed to that strategy, the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District said Wednesday.
Construction on a hybrid plaza-street solution for Fillmore Plaza, estimated to cost about $2.5 million, is expected to start in early 2011. The plaza renovation is scheduled to be completed in time for next year’s Cherry Creek Arts Festival, on the July 4th weekend.
The hybrid design involves creating a pedestrian-friendly street with narrow traffic lanes that allow, but don’t encourage, traffic. Other aspects of the design include minimal parking, some curbless areas, lots of landscaping and event space.
“The new hybrid design [for Fillmore Plaza] will enhance pedestrian, event and retail activity in the area,” the BID said in a statement.
Majority vote
In mid-October, the majority of 328 residents — 51.8 percent — agreed to the hybrid plan in a survey about it by the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association, according to the CCNNA’s website, www.ccnneighbors.com. The Cherry Creek East, Country Club and Capitol Hill neighborhood associations also offered majority support.
On its website, the CCNNA said it doesn’t want a street through Fillmore Plaza, “but there is little support for our position beyond our neighborhood.” The association further stated it thinks the hybrid design, which the group helped create with the Cherry Creek North BID, is the best alternative for the plaza, since it won’t remain open space.
The BID board, appointed by Denver’s mayor, unanimously approved the hybrid plan for Fillmore Plaza in April.
Jeanne Robb, District 10 Denver city councilwoman, has been a key mediator between the BID and groups that disagreed with the hybrid plan.
The Cherry Creek BID, neighborhood groups, business owners and real estate developers have wrestled this year about the future of Fillmore Plaza.
Developers, who have built $200 million worth of projects near the plaza in recent years, want the street to allow better customer access to stores in those projects, including The North Face and Hermes. The Denver Fire Department now also requires a street near those businesses, so its trucks can get to them in case of fire.
But other businesses and many people who live near Cherry Creek North argued Fillmore Plaza was the district’s only open space, and should stay open space.
To see the full plan: http://cherrycreeknorth.com/about/fillmore-plaza-hybrid-design/
Read more: Fillmore Place will get a street | Denver Business Journal
